BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of March 27, 2007

 

A special meeting was held at 9:05 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 9:05 a.m. until 10:05 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:05 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2007 and reconvened at 10:15 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to review proposals received for the Hearing Examiner System.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:35 a.m. until 11:05 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:05 a.m. Monday, March 26, 2007 and reconvened at 2:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 2:35 p.m. until 3:40 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:40 p.m. Monday, March 26, 2007 and reconvened at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2006, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in staff workshop to discuss VEBA, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of March 20, 2007.

2.       Acknowledge receipt of a letter from the U.S. Dept of Agriculture appointing Paul Pearce to the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to represent governments of affected counties in the State of Washington.

3.       Acknowledge receipt of 2006 North Country Emergency Medical Service activity report.

4.       Set public for 1:30 PM Tuesday, April 17, 2007 to consider a request from Gabe Spencer for a variance to Skamania County Private Road Standards for proposed Camp Cedars Lane (private), located off of Loop Road at approximately mile post 2.75 on the left, to allow a road grade in excess of 8% to exceed the minimum 100-foot guideline length. 

5.       Contract amendment #1 with Dept of Social & Health Services, Division of Alcohol & Substance Abuse, to increase grant funding by $10,500 for youth treatment expansion.

6.       Contract amendment #3 with Oregon Corrections Enterprises to extend the term to May 31, 2007 for converting projection of digital ortho photos as needed for developing GIS mapping services for Title III Firewise Program.

7.       Special Use Permit for continued occupancy, use & maintenance of water transmission line located at Wind River Work Center on Forest Service system land.

8.       Contract with Advanced Planning Solutions, Inc to research & prepare a Stormwater Utility District Ordinance, include a component to permit limited rainwater harvest.

9.       Contract with Columbia Gorge Fire Equipment Company for maintenance of fire extinguishers countywide.

10.    Agreement with Riverview Community Bank for County’s ACH electronic payroll services.

 

Tod LeFevre, Public Works Director/County Engineer reported on personnel, Rock Creek slide, Road Department, Solid Waste, engineering projects, and bridges.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2007 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director presented Ordinance 2007-02 amending the text in Skamania County Code Titles 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 21A, 22 and 23 to include provisions for the Hearing Examiner.  Following a staff report, she advised that the Planning Commission recommended approval.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2007-02 as presented.

                       

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director presented Ordinance 2007-04 amending the text in Skamania County Code Title 16 to require that all short plats and subdivisions complete a State Environmental Policy Act environmental checklist review, remove references to County preparing an applicant’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and to require a one (1) year completion time for EIS documents.  Following a staff report, she advised that the Planning Commission recommended approval.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2007-04 as presented.

 

The Board reviewed the Mosquito Monitoring and Treatment Plan for the Home Valley Area and discussed the need to consider extending the Mosquito Control District boundaries.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Plan and proceed with contracting with the Mosquito Control District for treatment.

 

The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss Extension copier, attendance at RSN meetings, Christensen Family request for placement of a sign at the scene of an accident, VEBA, and nuisance ordinance, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:48 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2007 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider action on a nuisance violation on property located at 401 Harder Road owned by Terry and Sylvia Shoell.  Peter Banks, Prosecutor gave a report on the outdoor storage and accumulation of junk vehicles and materials constituting a public nuisance pursuant to Skamania County Code Chapter 8.30, and presented photos indicating the violation had not been abated.  Terry Shoell advised of personal problems that have prohibited and/or delayed cleanup and advised that cleanup efforts would continue.  Commissioner Tolfree moved and motion was seconded by Commissioner Richardson to continue the hearing to March 28, 2007 to allow a Sheriff Deputy to take pictures of the property.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to withdraw the previous motion.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to declare a nuisance on property located at 401 Harder Road and require cleanup within fourteen (14) days, at which time if the nuisance still exists, the Prosecutor will proceed with filing an order with the Court for legal action.

 

Gabe Spencer, County Assessor gave a presentation on wages in Skamania County and the housing market.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2007 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Solid Waste baler, draft road vacation list, Salmon Falls Park and Ride, and personnel, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss code enforcement, bonding stormwater and private roads in short plats, Volcanic Hazard Level 1 Zone, West End interim zoning, and posting pending applications on the web page, with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending March 28, 2007 in the total amount of $115,429.33.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Sheriff to discuss storage issues.  The Board was in agreement to provide three full bays at Underwood Shop and one full bay at Prindle Shop indefinitely for storage for the Sheriff, beginning April 15, 2007.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, 2007 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Richardson present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Senior Services, to discuss surplus vehicles, with no action taken.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 29, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON